The Certified IRB Professional/Manager (CIRBP)™/(CIRBM)™ certification program is a globally relevant and professionally structured qualification designed for individuals involved in the ethical review, oversight, and governance of human subjects research. As research activities expand across healthcare, life sciences, social sciences, academia, and industry, Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) play a critical role in protecting the rights, safety, and wellbeing of research participants. Organizations increasingly require trained IRB professionals who can ensure ethical integrity, regulatory compliance, and consistent review standards across research activities.

IRB responsibilities extend far beyond administrative review. They involve applying ethical principles, interpreting complex regulatory frameworks, reviewing research protocols, monitoring ongoing studies, managing amendments and adverse events, and ensuring transparency and accountability in research oversight. This program equips participants with a structured understanding of IRB roles, ethical foundations, regulatory requirements, and operational best practices. Emphasis is placed on risk-based review, informed consent, participant protection, documentation, and compliance across domestic and international research environments.

Graduates of the CIRBP™/CIRBM™ program will be capable of performing IRB duties with professionalism, ethical rigor, and regulatory confidence in both operational and managerial roles.

Certification Program Objectives:

Upon completing the Certified IRB Professional/Manager (CIRBP)™/(CIRBM)™ program, participants will be able to:

• Understand IRB Roles and Responsibilities – Develop a strong foundation in the purpose, structure, and function of Institutional Review Boards.
• Apply Ethical Principles and Regulations – Interpret and apply ethical guidelines and regulatory frameworks governing human subjects research.
• Implement IRB Policies and Procedures – Develop, manage, and apply IRB standard operating procedures and governance processes.
• Conduct Protocol Review and Approval – Review research protocols for ethical compliance, risk assessment, and participant protection.
• Monitor and Oversee Ongoing Research – Manage continuing review, amendments, deviations, and safety reporting.
• Ensure Compliance and Reporting – Maintain regulatory compliance, documentation, reporting, and audit readiness.

Certification Eligibility Criteria:

To apply for certification from The American Institute of Business and Management (AIBM) and its allied institutions, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• A Bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution

And/or

• 0–4.9 years of relevant experience for Professional level (CIRBP)™, or 5+ years of relevant experience for Manager level (CIRBM)™

Note: Applicants who do not hold a Bachelor’s degree but possess exceptional professional experience and hold significant positions within their organizations in a relevant field may also be considered for certification on a case-by-case basis, subject to the approval of the AIBM evaluation committee.

Certifying Examination:

• To be certified as CIRBP™/CIRBM™, student should take up a 1.5 hours online exam conducted by AIBM.
• The qualifying exam would consist of 50 multiple choice questions, testing core certification modules.
• Professionals with relevant experience and other qualifying criteria may be exempted from the examination.

Certification Modules:

• Module 1: Introduction to Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)
• Module 2: Ethical Principles and Regulatory Framework for Human Subjects Research
• Module 3: IRB Policies and Procedures
• Module 4: Protocol Review and Approval Processes
• Module 5: Monitoring and Oversight of Research Activities
• Module 6: Compliance and Reporting Requirements

* The Certification Title and its modules are regularly reviewed, updated and may change in alignment with evolving industry needs and regulatory standards.

Who Should Do This Certification:

The Certified IRB Professional/Manager (CIRBP)™/(CIRBM)™ certification is ideal for professionals and graduates involved in research ethics, compliance, and governance. It is particularly valuable for:

• IRB Administrators and Coordinators responsible for managing IRB operations and documentation.
• IRB Members and Chairs involved in ethical review and decision-making.
• Clinical Research and Clinical Trials Professionals working with human subjects research.
• Research Compliance and Regulatory Affairs Professionals overseeing adherence to ethical and regulatory requirements.
• Healthcare, Academic, and Research Institution Staff supporting research governance.
• Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, and Medical Device Professionals involved in regulated research activities.
• Ethics Committee Members and Research Oversight Professionals.
• Graduates and Career Switchers aspiring to enter IRB administration, research compliance, or ethics oversight roles.

Key Benefits of CIRBP / CIRBM Certification:

• Professional Recognition – Establishes credibility as a qualified IRB and research ethics professional.
• Career Advancement – Supports progression into roles such as IRB Manager, Research Compliance Manager, or Ethics Committee Lead.
• Strong Ethical and Regulatory Foundation – Enhances understanding of ethical principles and regulatory requirements.
• Improved Protocol Review Quality – Strengthens ability to conduct thorough, consistent, and risk-aware protocol reviews.
• Compliance and Audit Readiness – Improves documentation, reporting, and inspection preparedness.
• Protection of Research Participants – Reinforces participant rights, safety, and wellbeing as the core of research oversight.
• Cross-Sector Applicability – Relevant across healthcare, academia, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and social research environments globally.

The CIRBP™/CIRBM™ certification empowers professionals to uphold the highest standards of ethical research oversight with confidence and integrity. By mastering IRB fundamentals, ethical frameworks, protocol review, monitoring practices, and compliance requirements, certified individuals are well-positioned to protect research participants and support responsible, compliant, and credible research activities.